Forum Discussion
Loss of WiFi after migrating from Windows 10 to Windows 11
Hello,
I have a desktop Dell PC XPS 8930, which is compatible with Windows 11, according to Microsoft application.
I've just migrated to Windows 11 (version 25H2), had an error message "impossible to load iqw64e.sys pilot" at the end of Windows 11 installation (version 25H2), and discovered that my WiFi access had disappeared : WiFi logo is "off", Wi-Fi click button (to set it ON or OFF) has disappeared, only Bluetooth appears as wireless device.
Can I activate WiFi on my PC with Windows 11 (issue being I have now no Internet access at all) ?
Or should I go back to Windows 10 ?
Thanks a lot for your help
Philippe
This is a driver issue, not a hardware or Windows 11 compatibility problem.
On the Dell XPS 8930, the Wi-Fi adapter is usually Intel, and after upgrading to Windows 11 the driver may fail to load. The iqw64e.sys message points to an Intel wireless driver conflict.
What to do:
- Check Device Manager
Open Device Manager and look under Network adapters.
If Wi-Fi is missing or shows a warning icon, the driver isn’t loaded.
- Install the correct Wi-Fi driver manually
Since you have no internet:
Download the Windows 11 Wi-Fi driver for XPS 8930 from Dell’s support site on another PC
Copy it via USB and install it manually
- Remove old Intel drivers (if needed)
In Device Manager, uninstall the existing wireless adapter and check “Delete the driver software”, then reinstall the Dell driver.
- Restart the PC
After the correct driver is installed, the Wi-Fi toggle and icon should return.
Summary:
You don’t need to go back to Windows 10. This happens because Windows 11 didn’t install a compatible Wi-Fi driver. Installing the proper Dell/Intel wireless driver fixes it.
5 Replies
This is a driver issue, not a hardware or Windows 11 compatibility problem.
On the Dell XPS 8930, the Wi-Fi adapter is usually Intel, and after upgrading to Windows 11 the driver may fail to load. The iqw64e.sys message points to an Intel wireless driver conflict.
What to do:
- Check Device Manager
Open Device Manager and look under Network adapters.
If Wi-Fi is missing or shows a warning icon, the driver isn’t loaded.
- Install the correct Wi-Fi driver manually
Since you have no internet:
Download the Windows 11 Wi-Fi driver for XPS 8930 from Dell’s support site on another PC
Copy it via USB and install it manually
- Remove old Intel drivers (if needed)
In Device Manager, uninstall the existing wireless adapter and check “Delete the driver software”, then reinstall the Dell driver.
- Restart the PC
After the correct driver is installed, the Wi-Fi toggle and icon should return.
Summary:
You don’t need to go back to Windows 10. This happens because Windows 11 didn’t install a compatible Wi-Fi driver. Installing the proper Dell/Intel wireless driver fixes it.
Thank you very much, Anikaa and Joyce, for your responses and help, much appreciated.
I copied WiFi driver on an USB key and transfered it to my desktop, but got an error message telling me that the extraction of the driver failed.
Then, I moved my PC and screen close to my Internet box, to be able to use an Ethernet cable, run the Dell software to get pilot updates, but it didn't work.
So I paid to obtain Dell support, spent a whole day with them, they remotely took control of my PC, run many tests since they couldn't restore Wi-Fi (even following your advice), and at the end of the day, finally succeeded to restore it.
I'm now happy as WiFi is operational, but it has cost me several hours of my time plus 60 euros for Dell support ... and opening of Word or Outlook apps seems slower than under Windows 10.
So when Microsoft assesses that migration is easy and painless ... it hasn't been the case for me !!!
Check out this official guide:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/fix-wi-fi-connection-issues-in-windows-9424a1f7-6a3b-65a6-4d78-7f07eee84d2c
This is a driver issue after the Windows 11 25H2 upgrade, not a hardware problem.
The missing Wi-Fi toggle/icon means Windows has no working Wi-Fi driver. The iqvw64e.sys error is related to Intel PROSet / wireless components failing to load after the upgrade.
Fix (no rollback needed):
- Get temporary internet (Ethernet or phone USB tethering).
- Install the Windows 11 Wi-Fi driver for Dell XPS 8930 from Dell Support (do not rely on Windows Update alone).
- Reboot.
- If needed, uninstall Intel PROSet / Wireless Software, then reinstall the Dell driver.
Wi-Fi should reappear immediately after the correct driver is installed.
Thanks a lot for your help ... but I couldn't manage to resume WiFi.
I've got Ethernet connectivity, installed Windows 11 Wi-Fi driver from DELL Internet site, rebooted, but still didn't work.
I don't know how to uninstall Inter PROSet / Wireless Software, that may be the issue.
Could you please tell me how to do that ?
